Snoop Dogg, the legendary rapper and global entertainment icon, is set to bring his life story to the big screen. The multihyphenate artist has signed a major multi-year partnership with NBCUniversal, which includes a highly anticipated biopic about his journey from Long Beach gangsta rap pioneer to media mogul. Announced on April 23, 2025, this deal also sees Snoop’s Death Row Pictures collaborating with Universal Pictures and other NBCUniversal platforms on projects spanning film, television, sports, and streaming.
Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr., shared his excitement about the partnership, stating,
“Not everyone has the courage and vision to see what Death Row Pictures can bring to the table, but Donna and the NBCUniversal team have always understood, which is why I am proud to call NBCUniversal my new home. The Dogg has officially moved into the neighborhood, ya dig?”
Donna Langley, Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios, echoed this enthusiasm, saying,
“There’s only one Snoop, and we’re so excited for him to join our unbelievable roster of creative partners.”
The biopic, the flagship project of Death Row Pictures, was first teased in 2022 after Snoop acquired Death Row Records, the label that launched his career. Now in active development with Universal Pictures, the film promises an “epic, cinematic deep-dive” into Snoop’s transformative career. The script is being penned by Joe Robert Cole, the acclaimed writer behind Black Panther. Snoop himself will produce the film alongside Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer, known for 8 Mile and A Beautiful Mind, and Sara Ramaker, President of Death Row Pictures. While Allen Hughes (Menace II Society) was initially attached to direct, he is no longer involved, and a new director has yet to be named.
Casting for the biopic is underway, with the team seeking a fresh face to portray the iconic rapper. Snoop emphasized the importance of getting the project right, saying,
“I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind. It was the perfect marriage. It was holy matrimony, not holy macaroni.”
Beyond the biopic, the NBCUniversal deal positions Death Row Pictures, now based on the Universal Studios Lot, for a wide range of projects. In television, Snoop will return as a coach on NBC’s The Voice for Season 28, airing in Fall 2025, following his stints in Seasons 20 and 26. His recent work with NBCUniversal also includes a breakout role in the 2024 Paris Olympics coverage on NBC and Peacock, where he brought humor and authenticity alongside host Mike Tirico. Snoop reflected on his Olympics experience, joking,
“Not the A.I. but the real Snoop.”
Additionally, he starred in the E! docuseries Snoop’s Fatherhood: Cori and Wayne’s Story in late 2024.
The partnership builds on Snoop’s acquisition of Death Row Records in 2022, a milestone he celebrated, saying,
“It feels good to have ownership of the label I was part of at the beginning of my career and as one of the founding members.”
With Death Row Pictures, led by Ramaker, Kevyn Woods, Keifer Moore, and Torre Blake, Snoop is expanding the brand into a full-scale production studio. The deal also opens doors for future film, TV, sports, and streaming projects, leveraging Snoop’s global appeal and versatility.
Snoop’s career is a testament to his enduring influence. With 21 studio albums, over 40 million records sold, and 20 Grammy nominations, he was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2025.
From music to entrepreneurship in Web 3.0, tech, cannabis, and consumer brands, Snoop’s legacy continues to evolve. He took to social media to celebrate the NBCUniversal deal, posting,
“Death Row Pictures. NBCUniversal. We up!! let’s get2work !! Thank you @NBCUniversal @deathrowrecords.”
